http://www.latintelligence.com/2008/01/14/future-us-policy-toward-latin-america/ by Shannon K. O'Neil Sat, 28 Jan 2012 03:41:55 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 http://www.latintelligence.com/2008/01/14/future-us-policy-toward-latin-america/comment-page-1/#comment-1767 Jessica Thu, 22 May 2008 01:36:27 +0000 http://www.latintelligence.com/?p=40#comment-1767 It seems like ignoring the Latin American (and North American, with Mexico) region is a trend here in the United States. We only seem to pay attention to it when it serves our own interests. I agree that one of the biggest areas upon which we have the potential to develop a genuine relationship in the region relates to the issue of energy security. Brazil has a LOT to offer the U.S; it has newly discovered oil reserves, one of the most stable democracies and economies in South America, and despite a degree of historical hesitation towards the U.S., maintains friendly relations with this country. In my opinion, however, if we continue to ignore those problems that are at the root of poverty, crime, etc., in Latin America, we will get nowhere. For this reason, solving the cause of poverty is a must; but, how do we do this? Is it the responsibility of the U.S. to help in this area? Somehow, the U.S. must begin to demonstrate to the countries in the region that we actually care about what happens to Latin America. If we just go in and tell them how to solve all of their problems, we will just be seen as the imperialistic empire yet again; this perception has taken hold in several countries throughout Latin America. It seems like ignoring the Latin American (and North American, with Mexico) region is a trend here in the United States. We only seem to pay attention to it when it serves our own interests. I agree that one of the biggest areas upon which we have the potential to develop a genuine relationship in the region relates to the issue of energy security. Brazil has a LOT to offer the U.S; it has newly discovered oil reserves, one of the most stable democracies and economies in South America, and despite a degree of historical hesitation towards the U.S., maintains friendly relations with this country. In my opinion, however, if we continue to ignore those problems that are at the root of poverty, crime, etc., in Latin America, we will get nowhere. For this reason, solving the cause of poverty is a must; but, how do we do this? Is it the responsibility of the U.S. to help in this area? Somehow, the U.S. must begin to demonstrate to the countries in the region that we actually care about what happens to Latin America. If we just go in and tell them how to solve all of their problems, we will just be seen as the imperialistic empire yet again; this perception has taken hold in several countries throughout Latin America.

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